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Mayor Bloomberg intensifying bid to wrest control of Brooklyn Bridge Park from state
NewsCity Hall wants to run Brooklyn Bridge Park and make it 'world class.'
BY Mike Mclaughlin and and Erin Durkin
December 7th 2009, 4:00 AM
Mayor Bloomberg is ramping up his bid to wrest control of Brooklyn Bridge Park from the state with a plan to kick in $55 million - and delay controversial plans to build luxury housing.
The city would commit $55 million right away to finish building the troubled waterfront park, which faces a $120 million funding gap and an uncertain future.
City Hall would eventually come up with the rest of the cash to finish the park, sources said. The proposal is set to be unveiled at a community meeting tonight.
"It should be a world-class waterfront park," said Deputy Mayor Bob Lieber. "Right now, there's a tremendous amount of uncertainty about the park's future, and we're looking for a way to get it back on track."
Controversial plans to build 1,200 luxury condos in the park would be put on hold for a few years, sources said.
City officials would consider scrapping the condos altogether if they could find a way to replace the fees.
Condo opponents said the plan gave them hope the housing might be called off.
"A city takeover has great potential if there's money on the table [and] a meaningful discussion of alternatives to housing," said state Sen. Daniel Squadron, who opposes the condos.
The plan depends on striking a deal with Gov. Paterson.
Parkgoers could ride their bikes, walk dogs and take in waterfront views until 1 a.m. if the city took over, in place of a dusk closing time under state rules.
City officials would look to add a skating rink or a "bubble" for winter activities.